Yuka Saso leads with stars in pursuit: U.S. Women’s Open Round 2

The leaderboard following round 2 of the U.S. Women’s Open at Olympic Club looks a lot different than it did 24 hours ago. Here’s everything you need to know:

1. The lead: Six under

Mel Reid and Megha Ganne started the day tied for the lead at four under, but it was Yuka Saso who pushed the pace at Olympic Club. 

The 19-year-old Saso, who’s a huge admirer of Rory McIlroy’s game and shares some swing similarities with him, carded six birdies and two bogeys en route to a four-under 67, a six-under total and a one-shot lead over Jeongeun Lee6. 

Saso credited her ability to escape the rough as the difference maker in her round. “I hit good shots from the rough today,” she said. “My mindset is just to go for the fairway. I’m glad I’m a little good out of it.”

2. The name: Megha Ganne

You’re going to want to remember the name Megha Ganne. The 17-year-old amateur followed up her stellar play in round one with an even-par 71 in round two, balancing her card out with three bogeys and three birdies. Ganne sits just two shots off the lead heading into Saturday’s third round. 

Despite her young age, the New Jersey native certainly doesn’t lack for confidence and has quickly become a fan favorite, with galleries following her throughout her round. 

“I love it so much,” she said afterward. “I wish every event had a gallery watching me because it just makes me play better. I love being in the spotlight.” 

Backed by the Governor of New Jersey, Ganne has a lot of support as she tries to make history as the first amateur to win the U.S. Open since Catherine Lacoste (of tiny crocodile fame) won in 1967.

3. The cut: Six over

At the U.S. Women’s Open, the top 60 players and ties make the cut. This year, with Olympic playing long and the wind up, the cut line settled at six over. 

While there are surprises at the top of the leaderboard, there are also surprising names who will miss the cut. 

Nelly Korda, a favorite at the beginning of the week, shot a four-over 75. That combined with her first-round 78 put her way outside the cut line at 12 over. 

The recently returned Michelle Wie also struggled at Olympic. Her rounds of 74 and 80 meant she would also miss the cut by six strokes. 

Both the 2019 and 2020 Women’s British Open Champion golfers — Hinako Shibuno and Sophia Popov — also missed the cut at Olympic. Shibuno, who came in fourth at the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open, couldn’t find her footing at Olympic. Coming off the Bank of Hope LPGA Match Play in which she played 120-plus holes of golf, Popov had to fight her body and the course, and came up short. 

And the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open champion, A. Lim Kim, missed the cut by a shot. 

4. The leaderboard

Despite the fact that some big names won’t be around for the weekend, the leaderboard at this U.S. Women’s Open remains tightly packed with tons of star power. 

Jeongeun Lee6, the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open champion, is just one shot back of the leader, Saso. 

Beyond that, there are nine players within five shots of the lead. That list includes the 17-year-old amateur Ganne (four under), two-time U.S. Women’s Open champion Inbee Park (two under), major champion Lexi Thompson (two under) and Reid (two under). 

The course conditions are only going to get harder from here, so anyone within five shots of the lead could hoist a trophy come Sunday.

5. The weather

The weather at Olympic Club is a crash course in microclimates — whatever the weather might be in the city of San Francisco, it is totally different at the course. 

That being said, it’s supposed to remain chilly on Saturday, with the low predicted to be 51 degrees and the high topping out around 64 degrees with 15-25 mph winds. 

Sunday will be slightly warmer with a low of 52 degrees and a high of 66 degrees. The wind will be up, around 20-30 mph. 

Coverage of the third round of the U.S. Women’s Open will begin on NBC at 2 p.m. ET, before switching to Golf Channel from 5-10 p.m. ET. For more information on how to watch, click here.